Have you had thoughts on wanting to become a professional pilot again?

N918KT

N918KT

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Hello guys. I was wondering if at one point you ditched your original plan to become a professional pilot for various reasons, but then later on in your life reconsider becoming a professional pilot again?


Lately I've been wishing I could do that, if I could pass those strict medical exams. I ditched that plan back in high school because of the strict medical standards on becoming a pro pilot.

I guess the reason why I wished that I could fly for a living (any kind of flying job) is because I love flying again, thanks to my current CFI who showed me that flying is indeed tons of fun. Also my dad told me that flying in general isn't useful unless you can make a career or money out of it. Which really makes me dream of flying for a profession sometimes.

But alas, I know my reasons why I cannot do that in the first place, so I am only a dreamer, not a doer.
 
When I retired I knew I would never fly for a paycheck again. Keep in mind that flying for a living isn't "fun". It is work. You fly when you have to and not all of those times are pleasant. Just a thought.
 
Nope. Not again. BTDT probably knew better but had to prove it to myself. Now I know for certain. Flying for fun is fun, flying for work is work(and only slightly, once in awhile fun for the briefest of moments.) It is happier always wanting to fly more, then being in a position of wanting to fly less.
 
I seldom wish I was flying charter again. I do sometimes wish I was flyng that kind of airplane. But, all in all, no regrets and not all that much nostalgia.
 
Threefingeredjack said:
When I retired I knew I would never fly for a paycheck again. Keep in mind that flying for a living isn't "fun". It is work. You fly when you have to and not all of those times are pleasant. Just a thought.
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That hasn't been my experience in the civilian world flying but it certainly was in the military.
 
OP, take whatever an airline pilot who has never been furloughed or spent less than five years at a regional with a grain of salt. Tying their perspective to your nominal outcome expectation is akin to asking the winner of American idol if anyone can make it.
 
not at all, I am happy to be away from that life, and after ditching flying for food I found that i was able to again find airplanes enjoyable again.
 
I'm still young enough to go down a different career path and to fly for fun. I've been considering it.
 
hindsight2020 said:
OP, take whatever an airline pilot who has never been furloughed or spent less than five years at a regional with a grain of salt. Tying their perspective to your nominal outcome expectation is akin to asking the winner of American idol if anyone can make it.
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OP, take whatever a recreational pilot who's never pursued a professional pilot career with a grain of salt. Tying their perspective to your hopes and aspirations is akin to asking the baggage handler when will he upgrade to Captain.
 
I had that dream when I was little. Without uncorrected 20/20 that dream wasn't going to happen. But in my later 50s I lucked into the chance to do some Part 91 contract pilot work that has continued for the last 6 years or so. It's been great for me. I do consider it fun. Hasn't hurt my QOL at all, and I'm able to do my regular job as well. It's taken me to a lot of international destinations I never would have otherwise seen and gotten me PIC and SIC type ratings. I say be prepared by getting your commercial, multiengine, instrument certificate and don't give up the dream.b
 
I fell into a similar situation and enjoyed it briefly but quickly learned that my enjoyment of flying was based on going (or not going) when and where I wanted to rather than when somebody else did.

Lance F said:
I had that dream when I was little. Without uncorrected 20/20 that dream wasn't going to happen. But in my later 50s I lucked into the chance to do some Part 91 contract pilot work that has continued for the last 6 years or so. It's been great for me. I do consider it fun. Hasn't hurt my QOL at all, and I'm able to do my regular job as well. It's taken me to a lot of international destinations I never would have otherwise seen and gotten me PIC and SIC type ratings. I say be prepared by getting your commercial, multiengine, instrument certificate and don't give up the dream.b
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wabower said:
I fell into a similar situation and enjoyed it briefly but quickly learned that my enjoyment of flying was based on going (or not going) when and where I wanted to rather than when somebody else did.
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Fortunately after six years and paid front seat jet travel to Panama, Dominican Republic, Columbia, Mexico, Turks & Caicos and, yes, even Teterboro :rofl: the enjoyment hasn't ended for me. And the contract flying doesn't keep me out of my Mooney when I want. It only makes me more proficient. Win-win.
 
I have considered finishing up my ratings and at lest being able to fly on the side
 
Lance F said:
I had that dream when I was little. Without uncorrected 20/20 that dream wasn't going to happen. But in my later 50s I lucked into the chance to do some Part 91 contract pilot work that has continued for the last 6 years or so. It's been great for me. I do consider it fun. Hasn't hurt my QOL at all, and I'm able to do my regular job as well. It's taken me to a lot of international destinations I never would have otherwise seen and gotten me PIC and SIC type ratings. I say be prepared by getting your commercial, multiengine, instrument certificate and don't give up the dream.b
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How does one hook up with contract work like this where you can still do your current job? Any advice?

Dan
 
dans2992 said:
How does one hook up with contract work like this where you can still do your current job? Any advice?

Dan
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The honest answer is that I have my own business which I started 11 years ago. It gives me a lot of flexibility to control my own fate as well as my own schedule. Besides being able to get away to do contract flying I can and do use my Mooney in the business without anyone objecting. I understand that this is not for everyone, but it has worked out great for me and my family.

My contract work started because I hang around my local airport. This kind of work is never advertised. To have a chance you must have a commercial - multiengine - instrument certificate with a 1st or 2nd class medical. Beyond that get to know other pilots, make sure the guys at the FBOs know you are interested in this type of work, put a card on the bulletin board, this type of thing.
 
Get a type rating in a big-honking biz-jet and work part-time as a sim IP in your 142 school. Try to be younger than 60 when you're doing it.

dans2992 said:
How does one hook up with contract work like this where you can still do your current job? Any advice?

Dan
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Thanks for the replies everyone. Maybe my renewed interest of becoming a commercial pilot of any kind may die off or may get stronger. Can't tell if it is just another of those phases I get.
 
N918KT said:
Thanks for the replies everyone. Maybe my renewed interest of becoming a commercial pilot of any kind may die off or may get stronger. Can't tell if it is just another of those phases I get.
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Kevin, sorry to be blunt but if you can't get a medical what does it matter? Why torture yourself with these questions? I'll never fulfill my childhood dream of playing left wing for the Blues but that doesn't stop me from enjoying a game of pond hockey with my neighbors.
 
I wanted to fly from the time of my first ride in Uncle Art's J-3 when I Was in 4th grade. My first attempt at age 16 for a first class medical showed that my 20/400 eyeballs, even corrected to 20/20, were going to come between me and a flying career.

So I got a job close to airplanes, 35 years at the airline, and earned enough to be able to fly for fun.

I would'nt change a thing.
 
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